Of all 30 NBA teams, the New York Knicks boast a top-five starting lineup. No, there’s no Big 3 or undisputed future Hall of Famer —at least not right now. What the Knicks’ starting five does have is a group of players who are all likely at the top of their class in their respective positions. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are the stars, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby fill out the rest. Of course, that’s only four players out of five. No matter who fills in at the fifth spot, the existing quartet still makes New York’s starting lineup one of the best. So, when it comes to who completes the lineup, the obvious choice might be the Knicks’ energizer bunny, Josh Hart. That said, there is a chance Hart takes on a different role this season, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t expect another.
Knicks’ Top Hustler Josh Hart Announces Ambition to Start
Mike Brown may have other plans for New York Knicks’ Josh Hart
Hart is no stranger to coming off the bench. He took on that role in his early NBA days with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans. Hart has even bounced from starter to bench player in New York during his three seasons with the Knicks. But anyone could argue that in those three years, Hart has done more than enough to earn a permanent starter’s role with the team. The argument for this case is even more compelling, considering his impact on the team over the past two seasons. For Hart, it all started with New York’s improbable postseason run two seasons ago.
Should Hart start? Yes, he probably should. The Knicks need his grit, fight, and energy, which he provides on both ends of the floor. Alternatively, every single attribute that Hart encompasses and provides is also the perfect bag that the sixth man should bring with him as part of the second unit. It’s tough because Hart has succeeded significantly in both roles. As any true competitor would admit, though, they would rather succeed further as a starter. Hart excelled under Tom Thibodeau. With Brown, the Knicks’ new bench boss, he may have other ideas in mind for Hart. For Hart, he remains open to whatever his head coach asks of him, as he spoke about recently.
“I had the best year of my career last year, but that’s in the past,” Hart said. “I think I’m a starter in the league, and I think I deserve to be a starter in the league, but at the end of the day, it’s what’s best for the team. Last year, I talked about sacrifice the whole time and kind of being that separate mentality and being a good steward of my gifts and those kinds of things. So I think it would be extremely selfish for me to go out there and demand to start and all those kinds of things. So, whatever Mike wants to do or doesn’t wanna do, I’m cool with. And time will tell what that is, but I’m gonna figure it out.”
The Knicks could succeed either way
Hart would immediately become a top Sixth Man of the Year candidate if he were to come off the bench this season. The impact Hart would make in that role would vault him into the league’s most valuable bench player.
Hart has earned a starter’s role, there’s no question. However, whether Brown has him start or come off the bench, the Knicks should be one of the top teams in the league. In all likelihood, they should be the top team in the East. With the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers not expected to be major factors, the East is up for grabs. The Knicks are in a prime position to take control of the conference.
One thing is for sure, though: whichever role Hart finds himself in this season, it will be equally crucial to the Knicks. Furthermore, Hart will discover success either way.
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